Posted on Thursday, November 3, 2011
The ¾¨Ó㴫ý Wind Ensemble will present its ninth annual Young Conductors Concert Friday, Nov. 11, at 7:30 p.m. in Orr Auditorium. The program is free and open to the public.
Three music education majors will each conduct a selection:
Junior Thomas Walters will conduct "Dillon's Flight" by Ralph Ford. Walters is a son of William and Cynthia Walters of Butler and a graduate of Butler Area High School. At ¾¨Ó㴫ý, he has been a member of the Symphonic Band, Concert Choir, Music Intern Teaching Program, Mu Phi Epsilon professional music fraternity, and Pennsylvania Collegiate Music Educators Association. He serves as director of handbells and instrumental music at Hill United Presbyterian Church in Butler; a member of the collegiate staff for the Butler High School Marching Band; and a member of the board of directors for the Butler County Symphony Orchestra Association.
Senior Kevin Tomb will conduct Carl Strommen's "Communion." Tomb is a son of Gary and Christine Tomb of Moon Township and a graduate of Moon Area High School. In addition to the Wind Ensemble, he is a member of Men's Choir, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Opera ¾¨Ó㴫ý, Percussion Ensemble, Titan Marching Band, and Symphonic Band. He participates in the All-College Honors program, Omicron Kappa Sigma honors fraternity, and Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity. Tomb is president of the American Choral Directors Association and past treasurer of the Pennsylvania Collegiate Music Educators Association.
Senior Shawn Sisler will conduct "Psalm 46" by John Zdechlik. Sisler is a son of Randy and Sharon Sisler of Lancaster, S.C., and a graduate of Waterloo High School. In addition to Wind Ensemble, he has been a member of Symphonic Band, Titan Marching Band, Men's Chorus, Concert Choir, and Saxophone Quartet. He was the winner of ¾¨Ó㴫ý's 2011 Phi Mu Epsilon concerto and aria competition, earning a spot as featured soloist with ¾¨Ó㴫ý's Orchestra, and participated in the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band as principal alto and soprano saxophonist. He is a member of Theta Chi fraternity, Pi Sigma Pi honor society, and the Pennsylvania Collegiate Music Educators Association.
Additional selections on the program include: "Vesuvius" by Frank Ticheli; Maurice Johnstone's arrangement of "English Dances" by Malcolm Arnold; and Satoshio Yagisawa's "Machu Picchu."
The Young Conductors concert was created by Dr. R. Tad Greig, associate professor and chair of ¾¨Ó㴫ý's Department of Music, to provide a challenge and an experiential opportunity for talented music students.
Students must audition by conducting the Wind Ensemble in front of a panel of expert judges from other colleges and universities. Greig selects no more than three winners from the auditions.
Those chosen are each assigned a selection. They are responsible for lesson plans for each rehearsal, which are videotaped for evaluating the experience.
Contact Greig at (724) 946-7279 or email for additional information.
